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A review by bibliomania_express
A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett is the second Ana and Din Mystery, following the engraver Iudex and his eccentric boss to the far flung Kingdom of Yarrow, where the disappearance of a treasury clerk unveils a great conspiracy at work.
This book is all about power, deception, and corruption. It features a clever heist, mad science, royal politics, and lots of subterfuge.
Din is going through it in this book, missing his paramour from the first book and doubting his place in the Iudex, and paying his father's debts. But his determination and good-heartedness shine through. I liked home much he got to take charge of in this mystery, and that he did a bit more solving. I also liked his banter with Malo, who was a great new character, full of bluntness and capability.
This book does a fantastic job once again weaving the worldbuilding and local politics into the mystery. It was fascinating to see the way kingship and its process of inheritance clashed with Imperial purposes (in some surprising ways).
Do be wary of this book if you're squeamish about the consumption of uncooked meats, and body horror related to transmutation. This is a world where the blood of giant titans is used to alter humans - and it does some horrifying things. I will also say though that I wasn't really bothered by it.
This book is all about power, deception, and corruption. It features a clever heist, mad science, royal politics, and lots of subterfuge.
Din is going through it in this book, missing his paramour from the first book and doubting his place in the Iudex, and paying his father's debts. But his determination and good-heartedness shine through. I liked home much he got to take charge of in this mystery, and that he did a bit more solving. I also liked his banter with Malo, who was a great new character, full of bluntness and capability.
This book does a fantastic job once again weaving the worldbuilding and local politics into the mystery. It was fascinating to see the way kingship and its process of inheritance clashed with Imperial purposes (in some surprising ways).
Do be wary of this book if you're squeamish about the consumption of uncooked meats, and body horror related to transmutation. This is a world where the blood of giant titans is used to alter humans - and it does some horrifying things. I will also say though that I wasn't really bothered by it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Suicide attempt, Death of parent